MaxPreps 2014 South Dakota preseason football Fab 5

1. Roosevelt (Sioux Falls)
2013 finish: 9-2
Head coach: Kim Nelson
Team preview

After losing to Lincoln twice last year, Roosevelt could be the favorite to win the state title this year thanks to seven returning starters on offense. Leading the way is all-state quarterback Taryn Christion (6-foot-2, 195 pounds), who recently committed to play at South Dakota State. As a junior, he threw for 2,549 yards and 24 touchdowns and also rushed for 988 yards and 18 scores. He returns his favorite target in Chase Vinatieri (6-2, 200), who is the team's kicker and also the nephew of NFL All-Pro Adam Vinatieri. Ohio State-bound Grant Schmidt (6-6, 275) anchors the offensive line.

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2. Lincoln (Sioux Falls)
2013 finish: 11-0
Head coach: Lorne Lawrence
Team preview



Lincoln went undefeated in winning the Class 11AAA state title last year, but it returns just one all-state player from last year's squad in guard Drew Peters. The defense returns senior linebacker Braxton Large (5-7, 155), who is the top returning tackler on the team with 49, including nine for loss. Defensive lineman Dylan Arntz (6-4, 185) is back after leading the team in sacks last year with 9.5. Lincoln will have a solid kicking game with Taren Schuester, who kicked 75 extra points and six field goals as a junior.

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3. Brookings
2013 finish: 3-6
Head coach: Lee Schmidt
Team preview

Brookings was just 3-6 last year, but it should be much improved this year. A total of 10 starters on defense and nine starters on offense return. The Bobcats also return all of their skill players, including quarterback Carter Gordon (6-1, 180), running back Mikey Daniel (5-11, 205) and wide receiver Dayton Bender (5-7, 165).

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4. Brandon Valley (Brandon)
2013 finish: 7-3
Head coach: Curt Littau
Team preview



The Lynx will likely improve upon their 7-3 effort from last year thanks to the return of all-conference quarterback Jake Comeaux. As a junior, Comeaux led Brandon Valley to the Class 11AAA semifinal before falling to eventual state champion Roosevelt. Comeaux threw for over 1,700 yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior. He returns one of his top receivers in Drew Reinschmidt while the defense returns one of its top defenders in linebacker Andrew Sorensen.

5. Riggs (Pierre)
2013 finish: 10-1
Head coach: Mike Busch
Team preview

The defending state champion at the 11AA level, Riggs will miss all-state quarterback Alex Gray, who threw for a school-record 2,329 yards last year in leading the team to its first state championship. Riggs had nine all-state players last year, but the only returning honoree is Trace Scott at defensive end.